On the eve of Senior Day and three days removed from the 23-16 blowout loss to No. 10 Iowa, No. 15 Penn State was loose yesterday in the wrestling room in the basement of Rec Hall.

That's because they'd already been scolded about their performance against the Hawkeyes on a rare midseason Sunday practice.

"You don't want them moping around days at a time, but at the same time, you can't forget," Penn State coach Troy Sunderland said.

As the coaching staff joked with the players, Sunderland reminded his players of the task at hand: that night the Nittany Lions would host their final dual meet of the season against an in-state rival.

"Don't overlook Lock Haven," he told his team. "Don't be thinking ahead to Illinois or Northwestern this weekend."

That's not easy, though. Lock Haven has had a down year despite its win over Cleveland State last weekend. With trips this weekend to No. 2 Illinois and No. 16 Northwestern, Penn State could easily overlook the mid-week, non-Big Ten opponent.

"You guys have short-term memories but we don't," assistant coach John Hughes said, breaking up the laughing and side conversations. "Remember losses. They hurt. Don't lose focus."

It's the lack of focus that's been the problem this season.

"Coach brought up a good point, which is that not all 10 guys are ready to go on a given night," said Eric Bradley, ranked No. 5 at 184 pounds, after the Iowa match.

The majority of the focus will be directed toward the presentation before the meet to the departing seniors. This will be the final meet in Rec Hall this season as the Lions' final home meet has been moved to the Bryce Jordan Center because the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon will be held that weekend.

"Sometimes you don't think about it until you're done," Sunderland said. "But you start thinking about all the memories."

Seniors Bradley, James Woodall, Jarrad Turner, Josh Walker and Adam Smith will be among those honored. Bradley and Woodall, however, will be returning next year because they're expecting additional redshirts for medical hardships.

There will be other difficulties aside from getting ready physically and mentally for the meet.

"A couple of guys have night classes," Sunderland said. "You rarely get an excuse card when you're at home."

The Lock Haven meet will culminate a quasi-tribute to wrestling in central Pennsylvania. State College Area High School will wrestle Central Valley High School at 6 p.m. The Lions' meet begins at 7 p.m.